Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-15
The Division of Colusa County.

! EDS. RECoRD-UNIoN: L ask space enough
in your columns to present some thoughts
on the Colusa county division question.
believe these thoughts are worthy of con-
sideration. In the first place, when
ever any large number of people
in given county grow disconnected with
its territorial expanse, and the consea uent
cost in money and time of maintaining the
county government with the seat at a
given point, is it not just to give their claim
a hearing? When these petitioners repre-
sent a large body Of the people of the pro
posed new county, there is made, prima
facie, case for division, and this is the
situation of the Colusa county division
contest, for a majority of the people
of the proposed new county petition
for the division. Now then, sirs,
counties are but convenient subdivisions
for the more economic administration of
affairs in State. | can conceive of a
State without counties and vet with all
needed protection and representation given
the people; but it would be at great ex-
pense, and by very slow processes. Now, /
hold the county is best bounded that has its
territory proportional to the minimum 81
cost and time to be expended by the peo-
pie consistent with good government As
rule the small county with the necessary
numerical strength and financial capacity,
is to be preferred to the large county
equally as strong and rich, because
it is conservative of the best gov
eminent, to bring it closest to the people,
and because the ease with which its seat
may be reached and its processes served,
and the economy of cost in each case, rem
der its burdens lighter. 1t is an
old maxim that that is the strong
est and best government that the
people least feel to be burden, and it is
just as true of counties as of States and ma
tons. Now Colusa county is an empire in
itself. 1t is rich and populous region,
and all believe it is to speedily be-
come much more populous and rich.
Happily it is free from debt, and it
is, therefore, in an admirable condition for
division. Why, then, should it not he
made and the local government be brought
closer to the homes of the people?
l am told that the majority of tax-paying
strength opposes the division, but even if
that is SO, it is not an important factor,
for the large taxpayer really is least
Inconvenience by long routes to county
seats while the poor man is as much if
not more concerned in the matter than
the well-to-do, as on him the bur-
den falls the heavier in reaching
government that is distant. Two county
governments, | think it has been shown,
can be administered in the territory en-
braced by Colusa about as cheaply as one,
because the shortness of distance will, in the
saving Of mileage of witnesses, Jurors and
officers, and the personal economy of the
people, about equalize the matter
The people must realize that in a new
country being cut up by new routes of travel
| and carriage, the centers of population,
commerce and trade must change; even
the convenience of the people viii change
and territorial bounds lose their original
significance. The "divisionists" desiring
a separate government will not become
contented by defeat we all know, but again
attempt it at the next session OF the Legis-
| lature, and meanwhile the contention will
be kept up, and must prove of much
injury to all. Better to let the new county
| be formed, and new government be set
up, which will have the high merit of
greater nearness to the homes OF those
who must support it.
! | cannot see how cold" Colusa is to
5e injured by carving from her side a
new Colusa, under whatever name it
is to be known. The first will remain
numerically and financially capable OF
county maintenance. 1t will have lesser
area to supervise, and will inevitably pro-
duce better results in bodybuilding, eco
noniic administration, political representa-
ton and taxation.
l have heard much and read more on
both sides of the Colusa county division
question, and | am free to say, viewing
the whole matter from impartial distance,
that were l now resident of the old section,
| should say to the petitioners who desire
to form the new county, go in peace,
since you are of age, have the numbers
and the means, and desire no longer to af-
6liate with US. Your retiracy will leave
me in compact county, a people in
harmony, knowing each others needs and
capacities, free from debt, with a county
government already established, and /